[The relief he felt hearing Max admit he wouldn't be out of contact completely was plenty enough to get him teased for a decent amount of time. A ghost of a grin flitted across his face and he took a chance at looking at him again]

I'll have to find more convincing people to blame shit on, then, won't I? Send pictures for your brother stuck at home, won't you?

[And how was it that Max hit the nail right on the head like that? He bit his lip but listened, wanting nothing more than to be with Jack. He was fairly certain Vastra would be amenable to the idea of adoption-- since she was doing that very thing for her 'sons'.]

I've been meaning to talk to Jack about that. Not sure how well it'll go over and I get... distracted.